6 July 2010, Bönnigheim –
Researchers at the Hohenstein
Institute in Germany are helping local innovative manufacturers of
sportswear
fabrics to improve the functional properties of their knitted fabrics by
developing
practical construction guidelines.
In a recently completed research project (AiF No. 15481 N),
with funding from the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology
(BMWi)
provided through the Federation of Industrial Research Associations
(AIF), the
scientists drew specific conclusions about the physiological comfort
characteristics
of a variety of different types of knitted garments. The textile
industry is to
use the construction guidelines that resulted from the research work to
continue developing and optimising functional clothing for all kinds of
sports.
The research project entailed investigating a total of 34 different
knitted fabrics in respect of their thermo-physiological characteristics
and the
samples varied in terms of their fibres (PES, PP, PA, WO and CO and some
mixed
fibres), weight per unit area (100 to 329g), surface finish
(hydrophilic,
bioactive) and knit structure (e.g. single-jersey or pique).
According to Hohenstein, specially selected representative
samples were tested in controlled trials involving volunteers wearing
them in a
climate-controlled room. The skin model was used to measure thermo
physiological properties, i.e. how heat and moisture are transported
through
the textile. When the data was combined with the results of skin sensory
testing, it was possible to work out a comfort rating for each sample.
The
textiles were assessed along the lines of the German school marks
system, from
1 = "very good" to 6 = "unsatisfactory".
According to the research, on average, all of the knitted
sports textiles that were investigated received marks that were
satisfactory or
better for sports textile comfort (TK(S)). Nine samples were awarded
marks of
1.0 to 1.5 (= "very good"). Chemical fibres were said to be at a
distinct advantage when it came to transporting liquid perspiration and
the way
they dried. On the other hand, the natural fibre samples made of wool
and
cotton had the edge when it came to retaining perspiration, Hohenstein
says.
“Comparing pairs of samples of textiles
where the main fibre
was polyamide, but with and without a hydrophilic finish, showed that
the
hydrophilic finish had a negative effect on the level of comfort,
because the
fabric took longer to dry. However, applying a hydrophilic finish to
samples
made of propylene or a mixture of cotton and polypropylene gave a better
result
for comfort because they did not stick to the skin so much,” a
spokesperson
said.
Contact: Hohenstein Institute, Martin Harnisch, m.harnisch@hohenstein.de
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